Updated 29 October 2026. We don't publish fixed prices, because the total depends on your Free Zone, your activities and how many visas you need. This guide lists every cost, what makes it go up or down, and how to get your own figure in writing.
The short answer: business formation in Dubai costs the licence, an establishment card, a workspace (flexi-desk or office), and for each person who lives here a residence visa: entry permit or status change, medical test and Emirates ID. On top come yearly costs: the licence renewal (usually about the same as the first licence), visa renewals every two years, and accounting. The biggest levers are the Free Zone you choose, the number of visas, and Free Zone versus mainland.
Every cost in your first year
| Cost | What it is | What makes it go up or down |
|---|---|---|
| Trade licence | The permission to trade, issued by a Free Zone or, on the mainland, the Department of Economy and Tourism | The authority, licence type (services, trading, both), number of activities, licence length (some zones discount 2–5 years) |
| Company registration and documents | Name approval, memorandum or articles, share certificate | Number of shareholders; a corporate shareholder needs attested documents from abroad |
| Establishment card | The company's registration with immigration, needed before any visa | Issued once you have a licence and renewed every year. See our establishment card guide |
| Workspace | Flexi-desk or office | Free Zones: a flexi-desk is usually enough for a small team. Mainland: you need your own office with a registered lease |
| Visa allocation | The number of visas the licence allows | More visas often need a bigger workspace |
| Residence visa, per person | Entry permit (or status change if you are already in the UAE), medical test, biometrics, Emirates ID | Number of people; whether you are inside or outside the UAE; standard or express medical |
| Share capital | Declared capital of the company | Usually declared, not paid in. Some zones link it to visas: Meydan, for example, gives an investor visa to a sole shareholder with share capital of AED 50,000 or more |
| Bank account | Business bank account | Some banks ask for a minimum balance or a monthly fee. See bank account opening |
| Tax registrations | Corporate tax for every company; VAT once sales pass AED 375,000 in 12 months | Late corporate tax registration is fined AED 10,000, so do it on time |
| Help with setup | A consultant's or PRO's fee, if you use one | What is included: bookings, documents, bank introduction, visa appointments |
Costs that come back every year
- Licence renewal: usually about the same as the first licence, so plan for it from day one.
- Establishment card renewal, together with the licence.
- Workspace renewal (flexi-desk or lease).
- Visa renewals: residence visas usually run 2 years, so renewal costs come every second year per person.
- Accounting and tax: every company keeps books and files a corporate tax return each year, even with no profit. VAT-registered companies file VAT returns too. See accounting services.
- Audit, if needed: Free Zone companies that want the 0% corporate tax rate need audited financial statements. See audited accounts.
Free Zone or mainland: how the costs differ
| Free Zone | Mainland | |
|---|---|---|
| Workspace | Flexi-desk usually enough | Own office with a registered lease |
| Packages | Many zones bundle licence, workspace and some visa costs | Costs paid separately to each department |
| Where you can trade | Worldwide and with mainland companies; shops and restaurants need mainland | Anywhere in the UAE, including shops and government contracts |
| Labour file | Usually through the Free Zone | Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation |
For most consultants, online businesses and holding companies, a Free Zone costs less to start and to run. If you need a shop, a restaurant or a physical office with walk-in customers, the mainland is the right choice even if it costs more. Compare the zones on our Free Zones page, or read mainland company formation.
Five things that change the total the most
- The number of visas. Each person adds visa, medical and Emirates ID costs, and more visas can mean a bigger workspace.
- The Free Zone. Zones price licences very differently, and some include visa costs in a package.
- Your activities. Some activities need extra approvals, or a different licence type.
- Licence length. Several zones offer multi-year licences that cost less per year.
- Where you are when the visa starts. Inside the UAE you need a status change; outside, an entry permit.
Costs people forget
- The second year: renewals are not cheaper than year one
- Attested documents from your home country, for a corporate shareholder or a family visa. See MOFA attestation
- Family visas for your spouse and children. See family visa
- Bookkeeping from month one, so corporate tax and VAT are never a surprise
- Fines: late corporate tax registration (AED 10,000) and late establishment card renewal
How to keep the cost down without cutting corners
- Choose the zone for your activities and visas, not only for the licence price.
- Only take the visas you need now; many zones let you add allocations later.
- Ask for a written, itemised quote that shows government fees and service fees on separate lines, and the second-year renewal.
- Register for corporate tax on time and keep books from the start: fines cost more than prevention.
Get your own figure
Use our setup cost calculator: answer a few questions about your activity, visas and plans, and we send you an itemised estimate. On a free 30-minute call we confirm the best zone for you and send the full quote in writing the same day. Read the full process in our business setup in Dubai guide.
Questions
What do I pay for when I set up a company in Dubai?
The trade licence, company registration documents, an establishment card, a workspace, and for each person a residence visa with medical test and Emirates ID. Then yearly renewals and accounting.
Is a Free Zone cheaper than mainland?
For most small service, online and holding businesses, yes: a flexi-desk is usually enough and many zones bundle costs into packages. A mainland company needs its own office, but it can trade anywhere in the UAE, including shops.
Does the licence cost the same every year?
Usually the renewal costs about the same as the first licence, so plan for it from the first year.
Do I have to pay in share capital?
Usually it is declared, not paid in. Some zones link capital to visas: Meydan gives an investor visa to a sole shareholder with share capital of AED 50,000 or more.
Why don't you publish prices?
Because the right zone and total depend on your activity, your visas and where you live. We send an itemised quote in writing after a short call, with government fees and our fees on separate lines.
Next step: Business setup in Dubai
